Council OKs Alcohol Sales at Jerry’s Deli

Several City Council members rose to support Jerry’s Famous Deli Inc. in its request Wednesday for final approval to serve alcohol outdoors at the newest of its eight Southern California locations.

The council unanimously approved the beverage permit for the restaurant in the 21800 block of Ventura Boulevard. Councilman Marvin Braude, who represents the area, called Jerry’s “an institution in the Valley” and said its 20 years of operation in Los Angeles demonstrated responsibility.

“They add stability to neighborhoods, not disturbances,” he said.

The Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization had appealed the restaurant’s alcohol permit application. The group’s president, Gordon Murley, said that by building a patio on the Ventura sidewalk several months ago the owners put a drain on police resources and had failed to provide proper landscaping.

The restaurant is just east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, adjacent to a shopping center known for traffic congestion and parking squabbles. Jerry’s opened in December on the former site of Solley’s, another deli-style restaurant, and has been serving beer and wine since.

Restaurant owners have assured city officials that they will serve alcohol only to diners and will not install a bar, Braude said.

Valley Councilman Joel Wachs disputed Murley’s contention that city officials’ support for the restaurant signified a lack of support for the Police Department.

“I’ve heard a lot of definitions of being anti-police, but supporting Jerry’s Deli is not one of them,” he said.